Salt-N-Peppa

Ops normal if I am a gauge. But, you should start seeing visable growth in the 4-6 month period. Then, significant change in the 6-8 month period. Hang in there buddy, the light at the end of the tunnel is not a train!! Cheers, S-n-P

Hello Mike- as a 12 year wearer of Hair Club for Men systems, I think I know exactly where your head is at (pun intended). This past year, my MONTHLY fee was over $350. System hair has a shelf life, the more you are in the sun, or wash your hair or have an active lifestyle, the faster the system hair gets thin, faded and tired and patchy. Because I do have a very active life, I had to get 4 systems a year ( Some people actually get 12 systems a year if you can believe that). Additionally, I would go in for removal, cleaning refitting and haircut every 3 to 3.5 weeks, this too costs more money . Why so often you ask---because my hair would look less than perfect, maybe even less than good if I went at the 4 week or certainly 5 week point. Somedays, while sitting in the office at HCM, I'd see guys come in for their visit and their hair would look horrible. Barely hanging on, thin and patchy, heavy oxidization, typically because they were trying to cut costs on an expensive product, sometimes because they were oblivious to how bad it looked. The net result was it screamed to everyone that you were wearing a toupee!! The total amount of money I have spent on hair systems, to try to keep a natural look, is staggering- -- You may have "toupee radar" , I know I do. I can seemingly see fake hair from 20 feet away and always feared that people viewed me the same way. Almost counter intuitively, I got the system to improve my self esteem but I was so worried about how it looked 24/7, I lost self esteem. About a year ago, I started to seriously consider alternatives which included HT or shaving my head. Unfortunately, my head has a horrible shape to be shaved ( I have a pin head!). I then got very lucky and found this site-----I did a huge amount of research, consulted with 3 Doctors,and have now completed my second HT. I am happier now than I have been in years. Please do your homework, try to talk to people that have systems, or at least get your radar turned on and start viewing the people that have "systems".......then ask yourself is that the solution or is a permanent, natural HT the way to go ( or just go au natural as you are now). Good luck with your decision, I know it is a traumatic time for you. Please view my photos or the many others that have taken the time to post on this forum. If you have any specific questions about systems or HT's, please ask. Welcome aboard. Salt-n-Peppa

I have not tried Toppix but I do have some experience with Dermamatch. I have found that product to work very well if used in modest amounts. I had no fear of someone seeing that product on my head when used with a light touch. What is your experience regarding Toppix? Also how does it do in the gym or in the rain....thanks in advance. S-n-P Oh, thanks for the comments about my HT strategy. Some guys can deal with a fairly typical bald spot that many men get to get greater density up front. Thats cool, just not my desire.

Thanks Pat. With a finite amout of donor hair I ,in consult with Dr Hasson, went for complete coverage though at a thinner density. Being 48 years old, I felt the slightly thinner look was age appropriate and I could avoid being left with a bald spot. Everyone is different but that was the road I chose to travel down. Cheers, S-n-P

Thanks Bro- still in a state of euphoria post HT-soon the depressing stage of waiting. I, like you , don't intend to post more photos until about 3-4 months post HT. Cheers. S-n-P

My desire for HT #2 was to fill in the 3 inch perfectly bald circle on my crown. Secondly to enhance the current hairline by softening in front of what is there and increasing the density of the first cm. of hairline. I am estatic at this point. I don't think the pictures quite do the crown work justice. To my eye, the density is a perfect match and now my entire head is covered!!! If you look closely at the photos, you can also see the enhanced hairline work. Cheers. Salt-n-Peppa

Quite furry indeed. Do you have to shave your back??? :-)

I agree with Nervous- I was surprised at the difference a few single hair FU's make in the temple region. His estimate of 250 total for both sides is reasonable. You really don't want the same density here as the sides , treat it more of a transition zone. That is why so few can still make a large apperance difference in the hands of a skilled Doctor. Cheers, S-n-P

Fireman- Before this thread devolves further, could you in narrative form, tell us what you and your Doctor discussed prior to your HT? How much hair you had available for transplant -- What your desires were for a hairline-- How much density you were going for-- etc-- Thanks for contributing to this forum . S-n-P

OMG-that is horrible!

ummmm, I heard , from a friend, whose neighbor knows a guy that dated a zoologist- and she said ( in whispered tones) that lots and lots of sex cures baldness and sited monkeys as evidence. So, add that to your list to I suppose....

Exactly. I was very lucky when I found this site by trolling around on the net. Lucky, because I could have easily gone with my first Doctor I consulted with that emphatically told me 1600FU's would cover my NW5+ without a problem. The wealth of info on this forum prevented me from making a poor choice. Information is good!

Unbelievable, 18 hours!! I told the technicians of Dr Hasson, when I was in Vancouver last week, that they need to unionize. You and Dr Hasson are truly establishing a new frontier in HT's. (BTW, I didn't realize that some of the techs of Dr Hasson have been there over 10 years, that surprised me and also let me know I was in multiple sets of skilled hands! Cheers S-n-P

Yes they will all slowly reappear. Typically somewhere about the 10 day point, most of the newly transplanted hairs start to shed (for me they were all gone by 3 weeks). The bulb attached to the hair follicle can be disconcerting but it is quite normal. Then, you can look forward to your newly transplanted hairs to start reappearing from 3 months thru about a year. Your mileage may vary! Cheers, S-n-P

I'd suggest if you have it narrowed down to two excellent Doctors, and all things seem to be equal, go with the Doctor that in your evaluation that you seem to click with best. These Doctors are part artist, so you goals need to mesh with their vision too. Good luck and keep us posted with photos please. Cheers. S-n-P

I agree with the percentages you are being told. Additionally, in the 8-12 month period, your hair grows thicker ( therefore it looks like a fuller head of hair) and it relaxes to become more managable. Cheers S-n-P

WRT sun, I think I'll avoid sun on my head for about a year actually. I kept a little bit of redness on my scalp for 8 month per Dr Hasson. So, maybe I'm a slow healer. However the rest of my body is fair game. You have been warned. Cheers

Thanks bro- still on an emotional high. The doldrums will hit in a few weeks I assume. S-n-P

Wow, I guess I have to rescind the remark about " beg, borrow and steal" due to public pressure. I now change that to-- beg, borrow or sell your body on the street corner for 2 bits per-------late. S-n-P

My desires , after a lengthy consult with Dr Hasson, was to fill in the crown ( a perfect 3 inch circle) to the same level as the front 2/3 of my head. This was accomplished I believe. My second desire was a softening of the front of my existing hairline. I believe this too was accomplished. My third desire was a sprinkling throughout the front 2/3 of my head to thicken up the density. Unfortunately, I only had enough donor hair for the front 1-2 cm. But, as you say, that is where people will be typically seeing me. I'm leaving the staples in a little longer this time, 13 days versus 10days for HT #1. I want to give my donor area every possible chance for a great healing. Cheers, S-n-P

On January 16th I had 1960 FU placed mainly on my crown ( which has had no transplants to date) and a slight "softening" of the front hairline. Additionally, Dr Hasson "beefed up" the existing front hairline by adding to the first 1-2cm. I am quite pleased with my first HT and now with the "seeds" that have been planted from HT #2. Please note that the post HT#2 photos are literally immediate post-op. After I got out of the chair, Jotronic took these pictures. I think the minimal amount of bleeding is phenomenal testiment to ultra refined technique. My head was NOT cleaned for these pictures.....what you see is exactly how my HT #2 ended. .Blog to follow this next weekend. Cheers, S-n-P

Wow, London Lad I have serious hair envy. It amazes me how some have reasonable growth at 3-4 months and I looked nearly baby butt smooth! Good on ya. Cheers. S-n-P

My opinion after having had two HT's....try for as many FU's as safely possible on HT #1. Beg , borrow and steal the money for the first mega HT. This will allow you time to save more money for your second HT and also allow a nice time interval for your first HT to fully mature. Everyone has a budget, but I would encourage you to not be solely driven by cost. The highest quality Doctors might cost a little more up front but you will have the rest of your life to show off the excellent results! When you talk to Doctors about issues, incuding costs, if you have maximum flexibility for a late notification in your schedule they might be able to work with you if a cancellation arises. Good luck and keep doing your research. Cheers, S-n-P

Actually, HT #2 last week focused on the crown extensively, but I will continue using Avodart to hopefully enhance the transplant.

You got it right----the honest, ethical and skilled Doctors look at your laxity first. Then they can estimate your hairs density under magnification to yield an approximate number of donor hairs. BUT, this is just an educated guess on their part. The client then makes their wish list of where the donor hairs should go first, second... The less than ethical Doctors ( and I unfortunately visited a couple) promise to give you a full head of hair without even checking your laxity. If you have no laxity there can be no donor strip. Typically they over promise and under deliver. Safety is paramount to me, I wanted as much donor strip taken as could safely, without stretching, be done. I mentioned in an earlier post that I was disappointed that my second HT yielded about 500 fewer FU's than I had hoped for, but this disappointment is temporary....I trust completely the skill of Dr Hasson that safety could be compromised had he tried for more FU's. Why risk safety or scarring??? I'm sure that most of Doctors that are typically mentioned on this forum adhere to these same high ethical standards. Cheers "Rubberband Man"---(thats a late 70's-early 80's song)